Key pivot action



March 4, 1941. F. E. COMER KEY PIVOT ACTION Filed July 25, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 grvue/WM 50071 67 Floyd March 4, 1941. F. E. COMER KEY'PIVOT ACTION Filed July 25, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Mar. 4, 1941 UNITED STATES KEY PIVOT ACTION Floyd E. Comer, Bristol, Ind., assignor to Buescher Band Instrument Company, Elkhart, Ind.

Application July 25, 1940, Serial No. 347,563

14 Claims.

This invention relates to musical instruments, and more particularly to an improved coupling means and joint for a wind instrument between the operating key and the pad carrying lever.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved combined coupling means and joint for connecting the operating key of a wind instrument, such as a saxophone, clarinet, oboe or the like, to the pad carrying lever so as to provide a positive connection between the operating key and the pad carrying lever and eliminate lost motion, in addition to eliminating noise caused by wear between the pad carrying lever and the operating key.

Another object of this invention is to provide a combined coupling means and joint between an operating key for a musical instrument and a pad carrying lever whereby a substantially universal connection may be had between the operating key and the lever.

A further object of this invention is to provide in a musical instrument, such as a saxophone, clarinet, oboe or the like, a right angular coupling means for coupling the key and the pad lever, the coupling means telescoping into the key and the lever and providing a means whereby a lubricant may be used to eliminate friction between the key and the pad lever and thus produce a more smooth action than is possible by the use of cork or leather wear parts as is at present the case.

A still further object of this invention is to provide in a musical instrument, such as a saxophone, clarinet, oboe or the like, an improved 5 coupling means between a key and a pad lever which is so constructed as to provide a more artistic lever and key construction and which at the same time will eliminate lost motion and friction between the several parts, and in addition, will prevent the parts from being affected by weather conditions as is the case where a cork or leather cushioning means is interposed between the operating key and the pad lever.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be more specifically referred to and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications may be resorted to which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

In the drawings- Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of a wind instrument having a combined key and pad operating lever coupling means mounted thereon, according to an embodiment of this invention,

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal section through the joint between the operating key structure and the pad lever,

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 33 of Figure 1,

Figure 4 is an exploded view showing the coupling means for the key operator and pad lever,

Figure 5 is a fragmentary side elevation of a modified form of coupling means,

Figure 6 is a fragmentary enlarged side elevation partly broken away and in section of the key and pad lever,-

Figure '7 is a side detail elevation of the coupling member removed from the key and pad lever, and

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken 8-8 of Figure 5.

Referring to the drawings, and first to Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, the numeral l0 designates generally the branch or body of a musical instrument and in the present instance, the musical instrument may be a saxophone, clarinet, oboe or the like. At the present time in connecting the pad operating key with the pad carrying lever, it is the practice to interpose a cushioning element in the form of a cork or leather element on the line between the pad carrying lever and the rock arm which is part of the operating key. In a construction of this kind, however, the cork or leather becomes hardened and worn and after a period of time there is considerable lost motion between the lever operating arm and the lever J and there is also considerable noise between these two parts.

In order, therefore, to provide a means whereby 10st motion may be eliminated between the pad lever and the operating key structure, I have provided a pad carrying lever H which has a pad I3 mounted thereon. The pad lever H at a point intermediate the ends thereof is provided with a pair of axially aligned bushings l2 and a shaft M engages through the bushings l2 and also through a supporting post 15. The shaft I4 is threaded into a second supporting post It so that the lever ll may freely rock relative to the posts l5 and I6.

A pad operating key I l is secured to an L- shaped connecting member [8 which is con-- nected to a key shaft IS. The shaft I9 is mounted between a pair of supporting posts 28 and 2! which are fixed to the branch or body It. The key shaft 19 is supported between the posts 20 and 2| by pivotal means 22. The pivotal means 22 may be either a pair of pinions threaded through the posts 20 and 2| or may be an elongated stationary shaft, it being understood that the pivotal means 22 is of conventional construction. The shaft 19 adjacent the end thereof opposite from the key l1 has 2. laterally extending lever operating arm 23 which is fixed to the shaft 19. The arm 23 is formed with a socket 24 which opens through the outer end of the arm 23. One part 25 of a combined coupling member and joint is rotatable and slidable in the opening 24. The pad lever H is formed at the end thereof opposite from the pad [3 with an inwardly extending socket 26 in which a second right angularly disposed combined coupling and joint member 21 is rotatable and slidable. The coupling member 21 is formed with a reduced threaded end 28 which is threaded into an opening 29 formed in the coupling part 25 intermediate the ends of the coupling part 25. The arm 23 is provided with a relatively large opening 3|] through which the adjacent end of the coupling part 21 extends so that the arm 23 may be freely rocked so as to effect rocking movement of the lever II and in addition, the coupling part 21 may move lengthwise of the arm 23 to a slight extent sufiicient to provide a restricted universal connection between the arm 23 and the pad lever I I.

In Flgures to 8, inclusive, there is shown a slightly modified form of this invention, wherein the branch or body Illa has a pad carrying lever Ha which is rockably supported between a pair of supporting posts l5a and l6a. The lever I la has a pad l3a at one end thereof, and a pair of bushings l2a are fixed in axial alignment to the lever lla and engage between the supporting posts 16a. The lever I la is supported for rocking movement between the posts I51: and lBa by pivot means Ha. An operating key Il a is connected to a key shaft 19a by means of an L-shaped connecting member lBa and the shaft |9a is rockably supported between a pair of supporting posts 2011 and Ho. A laterally extending arm 23a is fixed to the key shaft I9a adjacent the end thereof opposite the key Illa.

An L-shaped combined coupling member and joint, generally designated as 3|, has one leg 32 thereof rotatably and slidably mounted in a socket 33 formed in the free end of the arm 23a. The opposite leg 34 of the coupling member 3| is rotatable and slidable in a socket 35 formed in the lever I id at the end thereof opposite the pad l3a. Preferably, the free end of the arm 23a is bevelled off at substantially a forty-five degree angle as at 36 and the adjacent end of the lever Ila is bevelled off on a substantially forty-five degree angle as at 31 so that a right angular joint will be formed between the arm 23a and the adjacent end of the lever lid. The leg 32 is formed integral with the leg 34, the coupling member 3| being formed out of a straight piece of round material which is bent at right angles, shown in Figure 7.

In the use and operation of this combined key coupler and joint structure, the key I! may be rocked in the usual manner so as to raise the pad l3. It will be understood that the shaft 19 may have associated therewith a spring which is adapted to hold the pad l3 in a tone hole engaging position. When the key I! is depressed, the arm 23 will be rocked toward the branch or body III and at the same time the adjacent end of the lever I I will be rocked toward the branch or body [0. The coupling part 25 may turn in the socket 24 and at the same time, this coupling part 25 may move endwise in the socket 24. As the arm 23 is rocked downwardly the adjacent end of the lever II will move away from the adjacent side of the arm 23 .to substantially the position shown in Figure 2. It will be apparent from this that the coupling part 21 may also move endwise in the socket 26 of the lever II, in addition to partially rotating within the socket 26, due to the rocking of the arm 23.

By extending the coupling part 25 to the extreme end of the arm 23, the coupling part 25 may move outwardly of the adjacent end of the arm 23 when the arm 23 is in substantially a raised position, and the outer end of the coupling part 25 may move inwardly of the adjacent end of the arm 23 when the arm 23 is in a depressed or tone hole opening position.

With the structure shown in Figures 5 to 8, inclusive, the right angular coupling member 25 may freely move outwardly with re-space to the confronting ends of the arm 23a and the lever Ilia. When these two members are in a normal position, which is the position shown in Figure 5, the adjacent angled ends of the arm 23a and the lever Ila will be in substantially contacting position. As the arm 23a is depressed by depression of the key Ila, the coupling member 32 may partially rotate in the socket 33 and may also move endwise or outwardly with respect to the socket 33. At the same time the coupling part 34 may partially rotate in the socket 35 and this coupling part 34 may also move endwise or outwardly with respect to the socket 35. It will be apparent from the foregoing that an improved coupling means and joint has been provided for a pad operating key and a pad carrying lever so as to eliminate any lost motion between the key structure and the pad lever and permit the use of a lubricant in the coupling means so as to eliminate friction between these two moving parts. At the same time the joint structure hereinbefore described, may be constructed at a relatively small cost and the construction of the joint structure is such as to permit the separation of the several parts when it is desired to clean the parts or remove the key for replacement of the key pad.

While the joint or lever coupling structures shown in detail Figures 2 and 6 have been shown between a pad lever and a right angularly disposed operating lever, it will be understood that these same types of joints or lever couplings may be used between any pair of right angularly disposed rock levers on a musical instrument which may be directly or indirectly connected to the pad levers and the fingertip or key levers.

What I claim is:

1. In a musical instrument including a hollow body, a pad carrying lever rockably mounted on the body, a key structure including a rock shaft disposed in offset relation with said lever, 21 laterally projecting key adjacent one end of said shaft, a laterally projecting arm adjacent the opposite end of said shaft, and an angle-shaped coupling member slidably and rotatably carried by the adjacent ends of said arm and lover.

2. In a musical instrument including a hollow body, a pad carrying lever rockably mounted on the body, a key structure including a rock shaft disposed in offset relation with said lever, a laterally projecting key adjacent one end of said shaft, a laterally projecting arm adjacent the opposite end of said shaft, and means slidably and rotatably mounted within the adjacent ends of said arm and lever for coupling said arm and lever together.

3. In a musical instrument including a hollow body, a pad carrying lever rockably mounted on the body, a key structure including a rock shaft disposed in offset relation with said lever, a laterally projecting key adjacent one end of said shaft, a laterally projecting arm adjacent the opposite end of said shaft, and means movably mounted within the adjacent ends of said arm. and lever for coupling said arm and lever together.

4. In a musical instrument including a hollow body, a pad carrying lever rockably mounted on the body, a key structure including a rock shaft disposed in offset relation with said lever, a laterally projecting key adjacent one end of said shaft, a laterally projecting arm adjacent the 0pposite end of said shaft, and a T-shaped coupling member slidably androtatably carried by the adjacent ends of said arm and lever.

5. In a musical instrument including a hollow body, a pad carrying lever rockably mounted on the bod-y, a key structure including a rock shaft disposed in offset relation with said lever, a laterally projecting key adjacent one end of said shaft, a laterally projecting arm adjacent the opposite end of said shaft, and an L-shaped coupling member slidably and rotatably carried by the adjacent ends of said arm and lever.

6. In a musical instrument including a hollow body, a pad carrying lever rockably mounted on the body, a key structure including a rock shaft disposed in offset relation with said lever, a laterally projecting key adjacent one end of said shaft, a laterally projecting arm adjacent the opposite end of said shaft, said arm and said lever each having a socket extending inwardly from the adjacent ends thereof, and a coupling means movably engaging in said sockets.

'7. In a musical instrument including a hollow body, a pad carrying lever rockably mounted on the body, a key structure including a rock shaft disposed in parallel relation with said lever, a laterally projecting key adjacent one end of said shaft, a laterally projecting arm adjacent the opposite end of said shaft, said arm and said lever each having a socket extending inwardly from the adjacent ends thereof, said arm. having an opening in a side thereof communicating with said first opening, and a. T-shaped coupling member having a portion thereof movably mounted in the socket of said arm and another portion thereof projecting through said second opening and movably engaging in the socket of the lever.

8. In a musical instrument including a hollow body, a pad carrying lever rockably mounted on the body, a key structure including a rock shaft disposed in offset relation with Said lever, a. laterally projecting key adjacent one end of said shaft, a laterally projecting arm adjacent the opposite end of said shaft, said lever and arm each having a socket extending inwardly from the adjacent ends thereof, the adjacent ends of said lever and arm being bevelled, and an L- shaped coupling member movablyengaging in said sockets.

9. In a musical instrument including a hollow body, a pad carrying lever rockably mounted on the body, a key structure including a rock shaft disposed in offset relation with said lever, a laterally projecting key adjacent one end of said shaft, a laterally projecting arm adjacent the opposite endof said shaft, said arm and lever each having a socket extending inwardly from the adjacent ends thereof, said arm having an opening in a side thereof communicating with said first opening, a coupling part slidable and rotatable in said socket of said arm, a second coupling part slidable and rotatable in the socket of said lever and disposed at right angles to said first coupling part, the outer end of said coupling part extending loosely into the opening of said arm, and a reduced threaded stud carried by said second coupling part and threaded into said first coupling part.

10. In a musical instrument including a hollow body; a pair of right angularly disposed rock levers, anda pair of right angularly disposed coupling members fixed relative to each other, said levers each having a socket in which a coupling member is slidably and rotatably mounted.

11. In a musical instrument formed with a hollow body; a pair of right angularly disposed rock levers, each lever having a longitudinal socket extending inwardly from one end thereof and the adjacent ends of said levers being beveled and disposed in overlapping relation, and a pair of right angularly disposed integral coupling members engaging one in each socket, said members being slidable and rotatable in a socket whereby rocking of one lever will impart rocking movement to the adjacent lever.

12. In a musical instrument formed with a hollow body; a pair of right angularly disposed rock levers, each lever having a longitudinal socket extending inwardly from. one end thereof, a coupling member slidable and rotatable in the socket of one of said levers, a second coupling member slidable and rotatable in the socket of the other of said levers, said one lever having a lateral passage through a side thereof, and a threaded stud carried by said second coupling member extending loosely through said passage and threaded into said first coupling member intermediate the ends thereof.

13. In a musical instrument, a lever carrying a pad at one end thereof, a rock shaft spaced from said lever and provided with a laterally extended arm directed towardsthe other end of said lever, said lever and arm each having a socket extending inwardly from the adjacent ends thereof, and a coupling means for said lever and arm including a pair of parts disposed in right angular relation each slidably and rotatably mounted in a socket.

14. In a musical instrument, -a lever carrying a pad at one end thereof, a rock shaft spaced from said lever and provided with a laterally extended arm directed toward the other end of said lever, said lever and arm each having a socket extending inwardly from the adjacent ends thereof, and a coupling means for said lever and arm including a pair of parts disposed in right angular relation each slidably and rotatably mounted in a socket, said coupling means being continuous.

FLOYD E. COMER.

CII 

